In our recent post celebrating our graduating student employees, we highlighted the many ways they contribute the the law library and UConn Law. This time, we’re turning the spotlight over to them.

We asked each student to reflect on their experience working in the law library- what they learned, and what they’ll carry forward.  Here’s what they had to say.

 Matt Shor, UConn Law Class of ’26

Working in the knowledge mine has been one of the most unexpectedly rewarding experiences of my law school tenure! From the people who staff this excellent institution to the faculty requests for research help, I’ve learned so many unique aspects of the law that literally aren’t taught in classrooms. It’s been a pleasure and an honor. Thank you!

 Kayla Kelly, UConn Law Class of ’26

“This job was the best first decision I could ever make as a 1L. I still remember opening the incoming student newsletter and spotting the job posting for a Student Library Assistant starting in Summer 2023. I was probably the only person I knew excited to work 40+ hours a week on the library’s cold first floor all summer, shifting dusty book collections dating back to the 1900s. When you work front desk in the most populous building, you are the first impression that people have about the library (and arguably, the campus) and the first greeting they receive for the day. As a 1L, it was the biggest “cheat code” to making new friends since everyone’s scrambling to scan their assigned readings before their textbooks arrived and learning how to navigate institutional resources.

Over time, the role became much more than a shift, it has become a space for connection and care. The front desk turned into a place where 1Ls could confide in me as I helped rewrite networking emails, where classmates shared outlines, where I connected two individuals and watched their friendship blossom, where we held impromptu discussions about current events, and even serve as a therapy corner for someone could pause and be heard while carrying something heavy. It also became a place where members of the broader Hartford community reminded me of the need for more attentive, compassionate attorneys in the world. To the library staff who watched me grow from a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed 21-year-old 1L into an almost 24-year-old (slightly bright-eyed) graduating 3L; to the past and present student staff I’ve have the pleasure to bother during their shifts and laughing with; to our colleagues across the library (IT, Student Services, Café staff, etc.)—THANK YOU! It’s been an immense privilege to grow within a community grounded in fellowship, support, and care. Thank you for keeping my heart warm all these years.”

 Austin Robertson, UConn Law Class of ’26

My experience working in the law library was one of the most meaningful parts of my time at UConn Law. I had the opportunity to learn from the incredible team behind the library while also engaging with the student body each day. I will always be grateful for that experience!”

Something I’ll take away from working in the law library is how important the library is to the student experience on campus. Working behind the scenes with the incredibly talented reference librarians and library staff showed me how much time and effort goes into creating such a wonderful learning space for the students. I will always remember how dedicated to the students the members of the library truly are.

 

Thank you Kayla, Austin and Matt!  We will miss you all!  Once part of the law library team, always part of it.

 

As part of Student Appreciation Week, we are proud to recognize our graduating library student employees and celebrate the incredible role they play in making the library a welcoming, accessible space for our entire community. Austin Robertson, Kayla Kelly and Matt Shor have been instrumental in keeping the library services running! 

Austin, Kayla and Matt assist with faculty research and staff the desk on weekends, nights, and during finals. They assist students with course reserves, printing, scanning and library computers and are a terrific source of information about the library and law school.   

In the words of Anne Rajotte, Associate Director of Research, Instruction, and Scholarship:

“Austin and Kayla are valued members of the library team who help create a positive first impression every day. Their warm, welcoming presence at the front desk and their readiness to assist students, faculty, and visitors, makes them an essential part of our daily operations. We will miss them!”

 

Our Research Assistants work behind the scenes conducting legal research for the law school faculty members, greatly contributing to the research needs of the law school, law library and society as a whole.  Tanya Johnson reflects on the contributions of Matt Shor:

Matt has been an outstanding research assistant, bringing a thoughtful, philosophical perspective that leads him to question assumptions and think critically about the bigger picture. 

 

 

  Adam Mackie also highlights Matt’s impact, noting his dedication and the meaningful contributions he has made through his research work:

Matt possesses two qualities I highly value, a relentless curiosity that seeks to understand things as they are, and, more importantly, the drive to improve upon them.  I have no doubt that wherever he ends up, we’ll all be better off as a result. 

To all of our graduating 3L’s, thank you!  We wish you all the best and hope you stay in touch as you embark upon your legal careers!   We will miss you all!

 

As this semester concludes, we want to pay tribute to our graduating library student employees!  Sinead Brennan-Gatica, Farah Jean, Olivia Kaminski and Josh Maddox have been instrumental in keeping the library services running!  They assist with faculty research and staff the desk on weekends, nights, and during finals. They assist students with course reserves, printing, scanning and library computers and are a terrific source of information about the library and law school.   In the words of Anne Rajotte, Associate Director of Research, Instruction, and Scholarship:

Sinead and Olivia are a vital part of our student employee team. As our weekend workers, we would not have been able to be open Saturdays and Sundays without them. We will miss them!

Our Research Assistants work behind the scenes conducting legal research for the law school faculty members, greatly contributing to the research needs of the law school, law library and society as a whole.  Tanya Johnson and Adam Mackie note the contribution Josh, Farah and Olivia have made to the law library:

Farah and Josh have been the backbone of our research assistant team for the past two years. Last May, we were also fortunate to have Olivia join us, and her contributions quickly became an integral part of our work. The quality of their efforts has enabled us to meet the research needs of our faculty, contributing to the reputation of the library and ultimately, UConn Law. We can’t thank them enough and wish them all the best with what comes next!

To all of our graduating 3L’s, thank you!  We wish you all the best and hope you stay in touch as you embark upon your legal careers!   We will miss you all!